Perry adds big item to special session

Gov. says transportation needs to be addressed.

Updated 12:13 am, Tuesday, June 11, 2013

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AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry on Monday added fixing Texas' underfunded transportation system to the agenda of the special legislative session, the first new topic since he called lawmakers back to the Capitol to work on redistricting.

“Texas' growing economy and population demand that we take action to address the growing pressure on the transportation network across the state,” Perry, who controls the special-session agenda, said in a statement.

Perry called the 30-day special session on May 27, immediately on the heels of the regular session's end. Adding transportation to the agenda doesn't extend the time frame for lawmakers to do their work, but it is a good sign lawmakers have overcome earlier stumbles in finding a long-term transportation funding fix.

“I would say it indicates there has been positive movement,” said John Esparza, president of the Texas Motor Transportation Association. “The governor doesn't call everyone together to say 'OK, let's hash this out' unless there's been some talk with the leadership.”

Lawmakers already have filed multiple proposals directed at finding more money for transportation — just waiting for Perry to say the word — in the wake of a regular session that saw no new funding source to address statewide, widely acknowledged problems including traffic congestion.

Pickett said Monday that he would rally behind the Senate measure, which he also supports, if that's the one with the best chance of passage. Lawmakers also have filed other measures that would direct proceeds from motor-vehicle, tire and motor-vehicle part sales to transportation; or pave the way for more agreements with private entities to build toll roads.

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, said much depends on what Perry does with separate budget legislation that would restore a big share of the funding cut from public schools two years ago. If Perry vetoes a share of the education funding, she suggested, that could affect her vote on transportation money.

“I would love to support transportation funding, but all of this was done in a balance,” Van de Putte said. “I'm all about capital improvements, but I'm also about my little human capital here.”